The following day, we invited our pals Sue and Chris to join us for a day out on the river. Another trip into Ely (will we ever get bored with this river - I don't think so). A perfect mooring was found in the centre of the riverside (under a newly trimmed willow) and we had a picnic lunch on the Jubilee Gardens. Good food and drink shared with good company - perfect!
When we returned to Lazy Otter, I should have produced a couple of Certificates of Excellence for them. Their turn at the helm was faultless. Well done both! We're looking forward to when we can do it again.
Skylark is ready for her trip to Bedford the week after next so we're keeping a close watch on the long term weather forecast. Next week is changing for the worse so it's fingers crossed.
As I mentioned in my last post, Kay and I went to Kent last week in the Landy. We started with a walk around Royal Tunbridge Wells followed by visit to the village of Battle. The battle site was good - not as large as many other sites but interesting never the less. The interpretation emphasised the importance of the actual battle on 14 October 1066. The battle was a close fought thing but William managed to break through the English shield wall after a long day of brutal fighting. It changed the complete governance of the country and formed the basis of everything else that followed.
We then headed for the slightly down at heel Hastings and then on to quaint Rye.
Remote Dungerness was as strange as everyone says and Folkstone left quite a lot to be desired. The Camping and Caravan site nestled in the east cliffs is well worth a visit (if you can find it).
Then, Dover Castle. I don't want to spoil the experience for anyone so I'll just say, go there. It's a fantastic day out for all the family and you'll see things that you will find hard to imagine.
Going along the coast we took in secluded Sandwich, ramshackle Ramsgate, beautiful Broadstairs, miserable Margate, cultural Canterbury, wonderful Whitstable and fabulous Faversham. We were captivated by Chatham Docklands and Rochester will always stand out. Oh, and there's a wonderful little cider brewery at Broad Oak called Pawley Farm. I recommend it, highly!
The following pics are a selection of the 200+ that I took. They just give a brief glimpse of a fantastic county.
The battlefield at Battle. This was the view that the French had, looking up the hill to the English.
The remains of the Abbey built by William to pay tribute to the fallen King Harold. Harold fell at the top of the hill to the right of this.
I couldn't resist an arty shot on Winchelsea beach.
Dungerness. One of the less desirable places on the beach.
The new lighthouse built to replace the old one that was hidden behind the new power station.
In fact most things are hidden behind the new power station!
Dover Castle is one of the best castles I have ever seen - go there!
A painting of Ramsgate on the Ramsgate Wall of Fame - better than the real thing!
Chatham Historic Docklands may not be high on your 'places to go' list but it really should be.
Not another arty photo.
We saw Fiona Bruce being strapped into a climbing harness to be taken up into the rigging. I have the photos if anyone would like a copy. Watch Antiques Roadshow to find out more.
Meet Rodney - the last figurehead to be put on a british ship. Probably just as well.
So that's it. Just a final shot of the trusty Land Rover, our home for the week and, yes, we did sleep on the roof.
BFN - my next post will probably be after our Bedford trip.
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